Shoe construction



Jan. 10, 1956 F. MACcARo NE 2,729,900

SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 3, 1955 I5 Sheets-Sheet l III lllllllllllllllllllm INVENTOR, FRED MACCARONE Jan. 10, 1956 F, MACCARONE 2,729,900

SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 5, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 4

INVENTOR. FRED MACCARON E ATTORNEYS Jan. 10, 1956 F. MACCARONE 2,729,900

SHOE CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 3, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. FRED MACCARONE ATTORNEYS United States Patent ()fi ice Patented Jan. 10, 1956 This invention relates to shoemaking and in particular to a new and improved construction resulting in a shoe of improved fit and comfort.

Shoe manufacturers have long sought a means of eliminating the unsightly and uncomfortable relative motion between the rear ends of shoes and the heels of the wearer so often observed during that portion of the stride in which the Weight moves from the rear to the forward part of the foot. Slipping is experienced in varying degrees with all types of shoes, but is most pronounced with womens shoes of open heel construction. all attempts to eliminate the slipping have proved to be unsatisfactory.

The primary object of this invention, therefore, is to eliminate slipping at the heel end of shoes.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a self-contained prefabricated unit which may be introduced into a shoe during or after manufacture, to accomplish the primary object andincrease the wearer's comfort.

A further object of this invention is to provide a resilient arch support which gently urges the foot against the upper.

To accomplish these and other objects, I provide as a principal feature of this invention an elongated pivotally mounted leaf spring secured in the shank portion of the shoe to exert a mild spring action causing the shoe to follow the heel of the wearer.

Still another important feature of the invention is the provision of a cushion between the insole and sock lining of the shoe overlying thespring and serving to enhance the general comfort of the foot, to urge the foot against the shoe upper, and to prevent the spring from exerting a direct force upon the sock lining which would otherwise tend to tear the lining from the insole. i

A further feature of this invention is the provision of a slash or cut-out in the sock lining which permits the cushion beneath the lining to move upwardly under the influence of the spring without tearing the lining from the insole.

These and other objects and features of my invention, together with incident advantages, will be more readily understood and appreciated from a reading of the following detailed description of two embodiments thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings in which: 1

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a combination sock lining and cushion constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the combina tion illustrated in Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the combination shown in Figs. 1 and 2,

Fig. 4 is a detailed view in perspective of a spring constructed in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of an insole and the spring, illustrating one means of assembling the two elements in accordance with my invention,

Thus far Fig. 6 is a view in longitudinal cross section through a finished shoe incorporating my invention,

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a combination sock lining,

cushion, and spring constructed in accordance with this invention,

Fig. 8 is a view in longitudinal cross-section of the combination shown in Fig. 7,

Fig. 9 is a view in longitudinal cross-section of a shoe illustrating the manner in which the combination lining, cushion, and spring may be incorporated into a finished shoe,

Fig. 10 is a plan view of a sock lining cut in accord Proceeding with the description of the novel combinai tion illustrated in Fig. 1, a sock lining 10 of conventional configuration and constructed of any standard material is provided with a cut-out 12 longitudinally disposed at the shank. The cut-out 12 roughly conforms to the overall shape of the sock lining and extends throughout the length of the shank portion. A cushion 14 is secured to the underside of the lining about the margin of the cutout by stitching l3 and provides a soft and resilent pad for the arch of the foot. The cushion may be made of foam rubber or any other equivalent material and although the cushion has been illustrated and described as being sewed to the sock lining, it is to be understood that it may be secured thereto by cement or other means. A second foam rubber pad 16 illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 is cemented to the bottom of the cushion 14 and the sock lining, extending beyond the margins of the cutout. The second cushion or pad serves to crowd the first cushion through the slashing in the lining. Although two cushions have been illustrated and described, it is appreciated that a single heavier pad may be substituted with substantially the same results.

The spring illustrated in Fig. 4 which urges the rear part of the shoe to follow the heel of the foot will now be described. The spring 18 comprises a'strip or leaf of flat resilient metal or synthetic material and is assembled in the finished shoe in a position to pivot about the shank portion. the spring configuration, but it has been found that a slight curvature in its body enhances its operation. As is clearly evidenced in the perspective view of the device, its terminal portions 20 may be turned gently upward as suggested, and the extreme ends may be rounded to present to the foam rubber pad a smooth surface free of sharp edges.

In Fig. 6 is shown a finished shoe including an insole 22, a molded shank piece 28, an outsole 30, a heel 36, and an upper comprising a vamp 32 and a heel strap 34. The insole 22 is provided at the center of the shank with a pair of closely spaced transverse slits 24 to form a thin strap 26. After the shoe has been made, the spring 18 is slipped under the strap 26 in position for pivotal motion about that point. The sock lining is then cemented to the insole in the customary manner with the foam rubber cushion overlying the spring. The ends of cut-out 12 extend beyond the terminal portions of the spring and its smooth rounded surfaces will exert a force against the resilient foam rubber cushion when the spring pivots about its fulcrum. If the spring acted directly on the Great freedom is afforded in the selection of i sock-lining, there would be an undesirable-tendeney t separate the lining from the insole.

When the shoe is placed upon the foot, thefoarn rubber cushion and the'spring gently urge the topjof the foot upwardly against thenpper members. i As "thewearers the'forward portion of the shoe, the spring 18 will pivot at the shank. The downward thrust on the forward end'of spring 18 will cause upward movement, of the'rear endof the spring and thus lift the foot into tighter engagement withthe heel strap 34. At the same time the spring exerts a 'rnildlifting force against the sock lining through the I cushion; It will be appreciated that this action will minimize the unsightly and uncomfortable slipping described isistitjehedto it about the margin of the aperture assuggestedf'atfli A second foam'rubber cushion54j is jcemeritedtothje bottom of the first cushion in the manner:

described" in'-the preceding embodiment, but apocket is provided 'between the two'for receiving the spring'SiS. In actual construction, the spring may be placed'on the surface of'the inverted sock lining after'the first cushion hasfbeenstitched in position. Then the second cushion may be' c'emented to the unit as shown. The cavity should benojlarger than the spring to prevent relative shifting of :the spring and the sock lining.

It willbefnoted'that the spring illustrated in Figs. 7

and Sjhasthesarn'e curvature as the spring shown in the precedingembodiment. However, the spring is provided withjspatulate endsf52 to present a smooth'rounded surface for th'e'cushien 148. This general configuration will obviously insure complete comfort for the wearer. It is also'reveal'ed in Fig. 7 that the length of the cut-out in theisock lining exceeds the length of the spring, thus preventinganydirect' application of force by thespring weight is brought forward from the rearward portion to M against the'lining. The advantages of this feature have been fully specified in connection with the embodiment previously described;

From the, foregoing description of an alternative form of thefinvention, it will'be appreciated that the combination sock lining, spring and cushion may be sold'sep arately, and the retailer by selecting the proper size may introduce the unit into shoes at the time of sale. The manner in Whieh' thisis effected is shown inFig. 9. The unit mayibecemented to the insole of any conventional shoe.

inthe same manner as an ordinary sock lining. If the prope'r' sige is "selected, the spring will lie in the proper positiori overthe shank. Thefoam rubber pad 54 will be compressedat its midsection by the spring at the point' wherethe spring pivots on the insole. Because the spring is sec'urely'held'in' its pocket between the cushions it will remainfin the longitudinal position illustrated, but pivotal motionjof'thespring' is permitted due to the compressibility of the 1 cushions, As the weight of the'wearer is trans ferred'f rorn the rearportion to the front portion of the footfthe springwill' pivot exerting a mild spring action causing the rear part of the shoe to followthe heel of the foot, eliminating the undesirable slipping discussed above.

Theembodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs; 10 and 11 is' an improvement on-the embodiment shown'in Figs. 7 9; Additional strength-is aiforded that embodi-- merit byutilizingthe portion of the sock lining removed ln idetail, the sock lining= 60 shown in Fig; 10 is .cut along, the .line 62zto .formfa flap.-.

to form the. aperture" 46.

64. By lowering the flap from the plane of the sock lining an--aperture vis formed similar to cut-outs in. the other...

embodiments. v

A cushion 66 having a slot 68 is stitched to the sock lining and fills the aperture. The flap 64 is drawn downwardly through the slot 68 and is secured to the lower surface of the cushion by cement or other suitable means. A second cushion 54 is attached to the bottom of the cushion 66 and defines a pocket forthe spring 50 in the same manner as in the embodiment of Figs. 7-9. However, spring 50 no longer exerts a force directly on the cushion filling the aperture, but instead, bears against the flap64 which prevents the spatulate ends-52 0f the spring from cuttingthe cushion.

None of the advantages stated above are lost by employing this form. The resiliency of the cushion and the width of the aperture prevent the spring from tearing. the sock lining from the insole. In addition, the cushion is reinforced togive it longer life. Moreover, the portion ofthe sock lining wasted in the preceding-embodimentsv is now employed for a useful purpose.

Many other advantages not alluded to in the preceding description are derived by employing the construction disclosed in this specification. For example, by introduc ing into a shoe otherwise too large the units illustrated in Figs. 7 and 11, a comfortable fit may be obtained by virtue of the lifting action applied to the foot urging it against the upper. Rubbing of the foot against the upper will be eliminated. Moreover, the additional arch sup port afforded by the spring will decrease fatigue so often encountered with high heel shoes.

Those skilled in shoemaking will readily appreciate that numerous variations in the details of the illustrated underside of the sock lining and the first-named cushion 7 member and defining a pocket between the cushion members, and anelongated leaf spring longitudinally disposed in the pocket.

2'. In combination, a sock lining having an elongated aperture formed in the shank portion, a cushion stitched tothe lining and filling the aperture, a resilient pad secured to thecushion and defining a pocket between the cushion and thepad within the longitudinal limits of the aperture, and an elongated leaf spring positioned 'in the pocket, the

width of the terminal portions of the spring being less than the width of the overlying portions of the aperture;

3% Incombinatioma sock lining-having an elongated aperture longitudinally cut in the shank portion, acushionmember secured to the sock lining filling the aperture, and

an elongated leaf spring secured beneath the lower surface of thecushion.

4. In combination, a sock lining, an elongated aperturelongitudinally cut in the shank portion of the sock lining, a first cushion member secured to the underside of the shank portion of the sock lining and filling the apertureyand-a second-cushion member of greater area than the firstsecured-toand covering the lower surface'of the first cushion member and underlying the margin. of the aperture of the sock lining.

5. In combination, a sock lining, an elongated aperture longitudinally cut in the-shank portionof the sock lining, a cushion membersecured to, the underside ofthe shank p uio t he Q 1 l n in e a r nd u d y na ezmat a margin of the aperture to theunderlying cushion.

6. In combination, a sock lining of thin sheet material fthe aperture, and means .securing the having a centrally located elongated cut-out extending longitudinally rearwardly from the ball line, a soft resilient cushion member having an upper portion co-extensive with said cut-out and a lower portion of greater area and underlying the entire margin of the cut-out, and a line of stitching parallel to the edge of the cut-out and uniting the sock lining and the lower portion of the cut-out.

7. In combination, a sock lining of thin sheet material having a centrally located elongated cut-out extending longitudinally rearwardly from the ball line, and a soft resilient cushion member having an upper portion co-ex- References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Regan May 19, 1908 Ross Sept. 26, 1922 

